LETTER: New chapter in clean-energy future

Friday

Jun 17, 2016 at 2:45 PM

To the editor:

June 8th began a new chapter in our clean-energy future when the House passed their version of the so-called energy omnibus bill. This bill mandates that utilities in the commonwealth purchase 1,200 megawatts of offshore wind energy and approximately 1,200 MW of hydropower.

Though the offshore wind amount is a step in the right direction, it’s far below the 2,000 MW that the University of Delaware found to be necessary for taking optimal advantage of economy of scale cost reduction opportunities. And large-scale hydropower is far from perfect as a low carbon energy source, bringing about environmental displacement, significant costs, and risks of flooding. It’s important that the Senate understand these dangers and instead requires more offshore wind and, in the next session, creates more certainty around solar.

One significant positive addition to the bill came in the form of an amendment requiring utility companies to repair or replace natural gas leaks when doing construction in a certain area. Natural gas (methane) is an incredibly powerful climate change pollutant, and existing tens of thousands of methane leaks in the state need to be repaired quickly. Also positive was the inclusion of PACE financing, which creates more options for funding energy efficiency projects for buildings.

It’s now up to the Senate to improve on this great step forward by the House, to set the commonwealth on a path towards the clean, reliable and renewable energy future we all wish to see.